Bethany Hamilton on the Ups and Downs of Working Out While Pregnant

Working out during pregnancy can be a confusing and difficult task. It’s not always easy to know what to do or what not to do, but when done right, working out and staying active during your pregnancy can have big benefits for both mom and baby.

One person who understands the importance of staying active during pregnancy is professional “Soul Surfer” Bethany Hamilton. Hamilton, who famously lost her arm in a shark attack while surfing at the age of 13, announced her fourth pregnancy earlier this year and has since been open about the ups and downs of her journey and how she’s been staying active.

In a recent Instagram post, Hamilton shared a video of herself on the move just two months out from her due date. "Trying to move when I can cause I feel so good during and after. Plus I want to be surfing strong with my children over the long haul,” the mom of three wrote. “After baby comes, I usually really take it easy for the long-term health of my body and so I can just enjoy and focus on baby.”

Echoing sentiments of many postpartum moms, Hamilton noted that "Newborn life has never felt easy for me, nursing is a lot, and I will just say my newborns haven’t been ‘the easygoing ones,’ so it requires full focus and rest. I will say as an athletically driven human, it’s hard to slow down and let my body rest. But I know it’s good for me… and I choose to do it!”

The best-selling author also added some advice for parents, parents-to-be, and really all of us. “Wherever we are in life - Movement fuels more movement - so take time to move and do something you enjoy! It’s good for you! And rest when you need it!”

Hamilton understands that limitations, whether it’s working out with one arm or being pregnant, can make working out intimidating. However, she encourages others to be brave and keep moving to keep their bodies feeling good.

In another post, Hamilton shared her adjusted workout routine since progressing farther along in her pregnancy. "I’m trying to just get in my gym at least ten mins a day, which naturally turns into more. I at least get some body care and therapy like moves done. Along with movement like this I’ll be walking and swimming a lot the next couple of months,” Hamilton wrote.

From cycling to light free-weight and body-weight exercises, the mom-to-be grinned through her workout on screen. Hamilton also noted that she’d been "winding down on surfing at this point… Anyway, the surf hasn’t been too great lately and other life goodness has been happening! Feeling baby wiggle up a storm in me as I write this. Stay motivated yawl!”

As Hamilton shows, while not always easy, working out during pregnancy can be both fun and beneficial for both the mom and baby. Whether it’s surfing, walking, light weight-lifting, or prenatal yoga, staying active during pregnancy has been shown time and time again to have numerous benefits, including reducing the risk of gestational diabetes, improving mood and helping with labor and delivery.

Feeling inspired to get your move on? Check out these awesome pregnancy workouts for every trimester. Just make sure, along your journey, to listen to your body and don’t be afraid to consult with your doctor on what exercise routine might work best for you!

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.